Puzzle



Rm E G R E m um Lm EP H s E W No. 566,236..` Patented Aug. 18, 1896.

l u Ei il i ulli llNrTnn STATES """ATENT rricn.

VILSON H. SHELLENBERGER, OF HATFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,236, dated August 18, 1896. Application filed March 25,1896. Serial No. 584,728. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILSON I-I. SHELLEN- BERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hatfield, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the .following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in puzzles, and has for its object to provide a device of this description which will afford endless amusement to persons of all ages, and which, when once having been solved, will be as diflicult to re-solve as in the first instance, and which depends largely upon the steadiness of the nerves of the operator.

In the annexed drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view of my improvement, showing four balls adapted for use iu connection therewith; and Fig. 2 is a central cross-section.

Referring to the drawings, A is a tray or circular receptacle having a conical bottom B and concentric partitions C, by means of which the interior of the receptacle is divided into compartments D, F, and E.

G represents 'an opening cut in the outer partitions C, so as to permit the passage of the balls from one compartment to the other. H is a similar opening in the inner partition and for a like purpose, and arranged in front of each of these openings is a shelf I, the object of which is to bring the several balls approXimately upon the same horizontal plane as the bottom of the opening, so that they will more readily pass through said openings within the next compartment.

The inner compartment F is provided with a horizontal bottom .I and is divided into stalls (preferably indicated by the numbers l, 2, 3, and 4t) by means of the angled partition K, and leading from the opening in the inner partition is an incline surface L, which unites at an angle with the bottom J, so as to permit the balls to travel through said opening to this bottom.

The method followed in solving this puzzle is to arrange all of the balls (preferably four in number, and which are designated by nu m bers or colors) in the outer compartment D by a continued manipulation of the tray, caus ing said .balls to pass one by one through the openings (l and H until they are finally brought into the inner compartment F, where they are arranged according to their designating-number in their respective stalls, and as this requires considerable patience, as well as steadness of movement, it will be seen that a very interesting game is provided which will hold the attention of the operator indenitely, and which will prove amusing to both young and old.

Vhen this puzzle is to be used by persons traveling, or where the balls are likely to be displaced or lost, the tray is covered with a glass or othertransparent disk M to overcome the liability of the balls from falling out, or the glass may be omitted, if desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is l. A puzzle consisting of a circular tray having a conical bottom, a series of circularpan titions dividing the tray into concentric compartments, openings in said partitions,shelves arranged adjacent to said openings, designated stalls arranged within the inner compartment, and a series of balls corresponding to the number of stalls, as specified.

2. A puzzle of the character described consistin g of a circular tray having a conical bottom, a series of circular partitions dividing said tray into concentric compartments, openings G and I-I formed in said partitions, shelves I arranged adjacent to said openings, a bottom .I provided for the inner compartment, four stalls formed in said compartment by angled partitions K, said stalls being designated by consecutive numbers, a series of balls also designated by consecutive numbers, and a transparent disk closing the upper end of the tray, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILSON H. SIIELLENBERGER.

Witnesses:

S. S. WILLIAMSON, A. D. JQHNSON. 

